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\n\t\tFormer Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tFormer Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
Martin Keown<\/a> expressed concerns over the fitness levels of Viktor Gyokeres<\/a> after his quiet performance in Arsenal<\/a>\u2019s 2-1 win over Wolves<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gyokeres was starting his Premier League<\/a> match after returning from an injury that he picked up against Burnley<\/a> at the start of November.<\/p>\n The Swede had come off the bench in the last three league matches and started in the midweek Champions League<\/a> victory over Club Brugge.<\/p>\n But the striker struggled at the Emirates<\/a> on Sunday when given another chance from the start as the Gunners earned a dramatic late win against bottom-of-the-table Wolves.<\/a><\/p>\n Gyokeres had just 15 touches of the ball and managed just a solitary shot on goal before being replaced by Gabriel Jesus in the 81st minute for his first league minutes since his serious knee injury earlier this year.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tGet your football fix\t\t\t<\/p>\n Punchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro’s football experts sent straight to your inbox \u2013 sign up<\/a>, it’s an open goal.<\/p>\n Jesus made an immediate impact off the bench, and was involved in Arsenal\u2019s late winner, which saw Yerson Mosquera head into his own net under pressure from the Brazilian.<\/p>\n Jesus\u2019s positive cameo may have Mikel Arteta considering whether to start him over Gyokeres, who Keown believes is still not up to the level of fitness required in the English top flight.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018I think it\u2019s Jesus\u2019 movement that ultimately helps,\u2019 Keown told TNT Sports when discussing Arsenal\u2019s winner. <\/p>\n \u2018The defender gets unlucky and Jesus doesn\u2019t get the touch, but it\u2019s his run and movement which helps and that is definitely food for thought for the manager.<\/p>\n \u2018He looked good when he came on, and Gyokeres is still not at the fitness level you would expect, and there\u2019s a real tussle for who is going to be that No9 and Jesus has put himself right back in there.\u2019<\/p>\n Speaking after the game, Arteta defended Gyokeres\u2019 performance and said his teammates must work harder to get him the ball quicker in dangerous areas.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s a collaboration between the two,\u2019 Arteta told TNT Sports.<\/p>\n \u2018He was in a lot of really good positions, and the ball didn\u2019t get into the area quick enough or sharp enough or just with the precision that is required for a No9 to score the goal.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018But his work-rate and intentions were there and we need to keep insisting.\u2019<\/p>\n After three consecutive weeks with midweek fixtures, Arsenal have a full seven days off before their trip to Merseyside to face Everton, and Keown thinks the extra rest comes at the perfect time for the league leaders.<\/p>\n \u2018I think it\u2019s really important that you get them away for a couple days to mentally and physically relax,\u2019 he said. <\/p>\n \u2018They\u2019ve been in and out of each other\u2019s pockets for weeks n end, a shopping list full of matches.<\/p>\n The manager will demand and set the standard and that\u2019s right and proper but they\u2019ll go again and I do feel a break now is needed. <\/p>\n \u2018They\u2019ve just hung on long enough and it\u2019s over to (Manchester) City and (Aston) Villa to see what they are capable of this weekend.\u2019<\/p>\n City face Crystal Palace on Sunday, looking to move back within two points of Arsenal, while Villa face a trip to West Ham.<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Arsenal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2251772795.jpg\")
\n\t\tViktor Gyokeres endured a quiet evening at the Emirates (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Arsenal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2251775318.jpg\")
\n\t\tGabriel Jesus played a pivotal role in Arsenal\u2019s late winner (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
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